Bobby's Coffee Shop

Bobby's Coffee Shop - 22821 Ventura Blvd. Woodland Hills (West of Fallbook) - From 1947 until the early sixties*It was a restaurant called the Chicken A-Go Go. For 32 years now it's been Bobby's - an unpretentious coffee shop serving extremely good diner food: eggs, bacon, pancakes, etc. for breakfast and burgers and sandwiches for lunch.*The above information was given to me by the current owner, though someone told me in the comment section, they've been going there since the early 60s and never remember it as a Chicken A-Go Go.*

When my husband and I arrived there was a line, which is usual for a weekend morning at Bobby's; though there were a few seats available at the counter. As we stood outside, I laughed that Bobby's still displays a sign that looked to be many decades old, advertising their Ranch breakfast special. They conveniently update the price with a new inflated one by covering the old price with paper and tape. I would've loved to see the cost of a 1970s breakfast. Still the cost for a two egg, three bacon, hashbrowns with toast and unlimited coffee breakfast is reasonable at $4.85.

The place was packed with an eclectic crowd: parents with kids, people who looked like they had a hard night of partying, the lone paper readers, a big group of college guys - all out for a good breakfast.

With the crowd did come a bit of a wait - but our waitress never let our coffee cups get low and I had fun people watching. Like all good things - it was the worth the wait. When my food arrived, I was happy. My over-medium eggs were cooked just right, and the bacon was exceptionally good - thick, juicy yet perfectly crisp.

On our way out we spoke with the new owner, Warren Akop, who looked completely content to be whisking eggs one minute and working the register the next. He told us the previously mentioned information about Bobby's beginning. He's owned the place for only seven months now - and the food is good as it's ever been. Warren, fortunately, knows a lot about Bobby's history and seems perfectly happy to keep a good thing going. About the Chicken A-Go Go, a fried chicken restaurant, that Bobby's once was - Warren said he would love to track down an old photo from those pre-Bobby's days. Bobby's as a film locationWarren's also proud that Ray Romano's, not yet released, film "Grilled"used Bobby's as one of their film locations. With its old time, no fuss, greasy spoon atmosphere, I knew it had to be used for some sort of production. Warren also mentioned a Net Zero commercial filmed there, as well.

Comments

Bobby's Coffee Shop has been Bobby's since I started going there in the early 60's. I grew up with Bobby's kids and have been going there regularly for over 40 years. It burned badly once I recall years ago and I think it is on its third owner. Bobby would do all the cooking in his white jack Purcell tennis shoes, his wife was the waitress and later his daughter. I do not remember Chicken a go go but a Ranch was 99cents in the late 60's.

The current owner told me about the Chicken A Go Go, but I haven't seen any other mention about that anywhere. I appreciate the info about Bobby and his family, the price of the Ranch meal. You should know you've been going there since the early 60s. Again, I appreciate that sort of info.

I remember many breakfasts and dinners at Bobby's in the 70's. Bobby's daughter was nice (they lived behind it or nearby I seem to remember), and my daughter, now 25, loved it - once she went behind the counter to see all the cool stuff - Bobby just laughed as we freaked out and pulled her out of there. Seldom had to wait for a table back then... We moved to Arcadia and then Sylmar, and in the years since I even ended up working a while in Westlake Village but I never had time to go again. Guess I need to make a trip back there... thanks!

Hello all !!!
I purchased t-shirts for several friends with their names, of cafes pubs and saloons for Christmas. I forgot one person. Myself. Does Bobby's Cafe sell t-shirts with it's name or logo. I tried contacting them with no response. If anyone out there reading this dines at that cafe please let me know via email. Thank you and Happy New Year...........Bobby ocdnluvinit@yahoo.com